Students from Primary through Grade 5 are connecting their learning from Readers and Writers Workshop with their experiences in the library. We are practicing the habits and routines of growing readers and writers including reading aloud together, selecting just-right books, reading independently, conferencing with a partner or teacher and thinking critically about our reading.
A typical library visit for elementary students is 60 to 90 minutes. During this time, we plan our agenda, which may look something like this:
1. Read aloud with partner thinking (15 minutes)
2. Select and check out books (15 minutes)
3. Independent reading with one-on-one teacher conferences (15-30 minutes)
4. Choice Maker Time (15-30 minutes)
During our read aloud time, we read with a particular lens. It may be practising Reading Workshop strategies, turning and talking with a partner, writing about our reading or using a book as a mentor text for our writing. For example, students may be jotting down questions, connections, predictions or important lessons as we read aloud. We then turn and talk with a partner and deepen our thinking before sharing our ideas with the larger group.
Our next step is to apply what we practiced in our own independent reading. As students select books, the librarian and teacher confer with students and may read with them to check for understanding and application of reading strategies.
Our final block of time together is dedicated to personal choice. We weave in tinkering, playing, building, designing and collaboration. Students are invited to tell stories with their building or take on a challenge. Some students work together over several class periods to construct a multi-step plan, others try out a new way of tinkering, and some keep diving into their reading.
In our FISW Library, literacy and making are colliding in meaningful and exciting ways. Students are connecting their learning across disciplines, applying skills to new contexts and pursuing areas of personal interest.
